5 Types of Headaches and What May Be Causing Them

Headaches are one of the most common types of afflictions among people in the workplace. They can be caused by too much pressure, such as too many deadlines, expectations, stress and other feelings of being stretched too thin.

And headaches can strike at any time, from a minor pounding, ringing, or feeling of pressure from your sinuses to a major attack or migraine. Did you know there are five types of headaches?

At least 80% of people experience headaches without showing signs of a sinus infection. These can turn into more severe problems, such as migraines. Tame your pain with these tips.

What type of headache do you have?

Migraine headache: This type of massive pounding can last for four to 72 hours and often feel like a serious throbbing or one-sided pain. Some migraine sufferers also experience nausea and light/sound sensitivity. This can be hereditary and can cause eye damage. You might need a doctor for persistent migraines.

Sinus headache: If your sinuses become inflamed by infection from a cold or flu, it can be majorly annoying and painful. You can either get doctor-prescribed antibiotics or try an over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine to treat sinus infections.

Tension headache: These are the most common and feel like aching or pressure through the temples to the back of your head and neck. Although they are less severe than migraines, they can put a damper on your day. Tension headaches can be treated with over-the-counter remedies, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These types of headaches could be due to changes in brain chemicals or contraction of the neck.

Rebound headache: These headaches imply a frequent use of painkillers, alcohol or drugs that once taken out of the equation may bring on massive headaches. Even common over-the-counter medications and prescriptions can cause these from the overstimulation of the brain. You have to wait for the withdrawals to subside.

Cluster headache: This is a headache often characterized by pain on one side of the head and may be in conjunction with watery eyes, runny noses and reoccurring headaches that affect one side of the face. Some think genetics have something to do with it and there is no cure, although certain medications can taper the frequency of occurrences.

Other common headache causes may include obesity, having an all-too-serious personality (you need to laugh and smile more!), overtraining at the gym, painting, dehydration, starvation, drinking too many cups of coffee, work overload, sleep deprivation, or even sex. However, you should not let a headache deter you from doing things you enjoy.

Research indicates that some types of headaches can be treated through spinal manipulation. A good massage or visit to the chiropractor can help to ease tension in your temples, as well as other beneifts throughout your neck and back. The relief may last longer and have fewer side effects than medications.

This is because neck and spinal therapy hits the trigger points that may be causing a headache. Stress, loud noise, bright light, too much exercise, poor diet or bad posture; and insomnia are also common triggers of headaches. Prolonged headaches may be pointing to something more serious, such as having a disease.

Exercising and eating healthy can decrease your chances of getting frequent headaches. Sometimes this can also help your headache to go away on its own.